A great jump serve requires mastery of many elements, and in this video, I will guide you through 10 steps to help you achieve a high-quality and consistent jump serve.
During my professional career, I have executed around 10,000 jump serves—some didn’t go as planned, but many caused big problems for my opponents on reception. I am sure you also want your serve to challenge the passing players on the other side of the net.
That’s why you should start developing your own serving ritual, ensuring that you approach every serve the same way. You cannot serve once with a two-step approach from zone 1 and then immediately use a four-step approach from zone 5. All your serves should be technically executed in the same way 90% of the time. The remaining 10% consists of small variations you can adjust.
1. Step Off Your Approach Distance
Before you serve, before you even stand at the spot where you will toss the ball, it is essential to step off the correct approach distance from the end line. Some players need three short steps for an effective jump serve, while others take five long steps. Regardless, always measure this distance before every serve. Since you will play in many different gyms, estimating by eye won’t be reliable.
2. Deep Breath
Once you are in position to serve, you need to clear your mind. The best way to do this is with a deep breath in and out.
3. Visualization
The next step happens entirely in your mind—visualizing your serve. Picture your movement and the flight path of the ball to your target. Some professional players extend their arm with the ball as part of their ritual, imagining their perfect serve. Others bounce the ball a few times. You can incorporate a similar action into your own serving routine.
4. Toss
A stable toss is crucial for a quality jump serve. You should toss the ball with one hand, preferably the hand you serve with. Most players are right-handed, meaning their dominant hand has more control, which is why nearly all professional players toss with their right hand.
5. Approach
Next comes the jump serve approach, which should end in a dynamic jump. Your approach length may vary, but I recommend a shorter approach. Fewer steps mean fewer movements, reducing the chance of mistakes. Keep your eyes on the ball throughout the entire approach.
6. Maximum Jump
When Julio Velasco coached our national team, he always emphasized that I should jump as high as possible on every jump serve, hitting the ball at the highest point. The same applies to you—always try to hit the ball from the highest possible point to create the best downward trajectory.
7. Timing the Contact
You must not only hit the ball at the highest point but also in front of you. If the ball is behind your body at the moment of contact, your serve will be weak and inconsistent. Keep your eyes on the ball at all times.
8. Body Movement
It is also essential to hit the ball above the shoulder of your hitting arm. Engage your entire body—from core rotation to arm swing and wrist snap—to generate spin on your serve. Aim to hit the center of the ball; striking off-center can lead to an inaccurate or weak serve.Of course, if you manage to execute a powerful jump serve with no spin, it will be difficult for your opponent to receive. However, a ball without spin is also harder to control and can lead to many errors. After the hit, allow your arm to naturally follow through in the direction of your serve to maintain control.
9. Landing
Serving is not just about hitting the ball. Imagine executing 20–30 serves during a training session—if you land incorrectly every time, your risk of injury increases significantly. Landing is one of the most injury-prone moments, so aim for a stable landing position. Never land off balance, and avoid putting excessive weight on one leg, as this could cause your body to tilt to the side.
10. Train Accuracy and Consistency
Work on your serve in training, aiming at different zones—for example, deep diagonal serves to the corners, serves between players, or short serves. The more variations you master, the more uncertainty you create for your opponent.
Don’t be afraid to train under pressure. Set challenges for yourself, such as hitting six quality serves in a row. This creates game-like stress conditions, helping you improve your performance in matches. Remember, it’s not just about power but also precision. The perfect serve combines both.
I believe these 10 simple steps will help you improve your jump serve and you will become better player.